Legislation will mean recycling of millions of plastic water bottles previously thrown away

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon Senate yesterday passed Senate Bill 707, legislation that expands the type of containers that can be recycled under the Oregon Bottle Bill to include plastic water containers. The expansion will mean recycling of millions of water bottles at the 5-cent deposit rate that previously would have been thrown away, resulting in a cleaner environment for Oregon.

“I am proud today to vote for legislation that is the essence of what it means to be an Oregonian,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Gervais/Woodburn). “This legislation is a part of Oregon’s DNA, and although I am not a native Oregonian, at least I can say I voted for Oregon’s Bottle Bill.”

The first bottle bill, passed in Oregon in 1971, was groundbreaking legislation that made Oregon a leader in recycling and environmental stewardship. Senate Bill 707 continues that tradition by ensuring the recycling of popular water bottles. The bill also establishes a task force to examine the options for further expansion of containers that may be recycled and study the possibility of raising the deposit amount.

“The public is telling us that now is the time to re-visit Oregon’s bottle bill,” said Senator Joanne Verger (D-District 5). “This is sensible legislation that will better meet the recycling needs of today and, hopefully, years to come.”

“The addition of new containers represents another historic step in recognizing Oregon’s tradition as an environmental leader,” said Senator Brad Avakian (D-Portland/Beaverton), who chairs the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.